Description
The Elated Membership plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Authentication Bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.2. This is due to the plugin not properly logging in a user with the data that was previously verified through the 'eltdf_membership_check_facebook_user' and the 'eltdf_membership_login_user_from_social_network' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to log in as administrative users, as long as they have an existing account on the site which can easily be created by default through the temp user functionality, and access to the administrative user's email.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-202359
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the Elated Membership plugin for WordPress, identified as EUVD-2025-202359 (CVE-2025-13613), is classified as an Authentication Bypass issue. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as administrative users, provided they have access to the administrative user's email and can create a temporary user account. The severity of this vulnerability is rated with a CVSS Base Score of 9.8, indicating a critical risk. The CVSS vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H highlights the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal skill or resources.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No prior access or privileges are needed to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not affect resources beyond the security scope managed by the security authority.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - The vulnerability results in a high impact on the confidentiality of the system.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - The vulnerability results in a high impact on the integrity of the system.
- Availability (A): High (H) - The vulnerability results in a high impact on the availability of the system.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves exploiting the authentication bypass vulnerability in the Elated Membership plugin. An attacker could:
- Create a Temporary User Account: Utilize the default functionality to create a temporary user account.
- Access Administrative User's Email: Obtain the administrative user's email address, which might be publicly available or easily guessable.
- Bypass Authentication: Use the vulnerability in the
eltdf_membership_check_facebook_userandeltdf_membership_login_user_from_social_networkfunctions to log in as an administrative user without proper authentication.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of the Elated Membership plugin up to and including version 1.2. Any WordPress site using this plugin within the specified version range is at risk.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:
- Update the Plugin: Immediately update the Elated Membership plugin to a version higher than 1.2, if available.
- Disable the Plugin: If an update is not available, consider disabling the plugin until a patched version is released.
- Implement Additional Security Measures:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enforce 2FA for all administrative accounts.
- Monitoring and Logging: Enable comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect any suspicious login attempts.
- Access Controls: Limit administrative access to trusted IP addresses and use strong, unique passwords.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security issues.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant threat to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for organizations and individuals using the Elated Membership plugin. The potential for unauthorized administrative access can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and service disruptions. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability, it is essential for European entities to prioritize patching and implementing robust security measures to protect against such threats.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Plugin: Elated Membership
- Affected Versions: All versions up to and including 1.2
- Vulnerable Functions:
eltdf_membership_check_facebook_userandeltdf_membership_login_user_from_social_network - Exploitation: The plugin does not properly log in a user with the data verified through the mentioned functions, allowing unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication.
Detection and Response:
- Detection: Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to monitor for suspicious login attempts and unauthorized access.
- Response: Develop an incident response plan that includes steps for identifying compromised accounts, isolating affected systems, and restoring normal operations.
References:
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.